Demographics
Herisau has a population (as of 2008) of 15,527, of which about 17.9% are foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -5.2%. Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German (87.0%), with Serbo-Croatian being second most common ( 3.8%) and Italian being third ( 3.4%).
As of 2000, the gender distribution of the population was 49.6% male and 50.4% female. The age distribution, as of 2000, in Herisau is; 1,194 people or 7.5% of the population are between 0–6 years old. 1,775 people or 11.2% are 6-15, and 835 people or 5.3% are 16-19. Of the adult population, 945 people or 6.0% of the population are between 20–24 years old. 4,760 people or 30.0% are 25-44, and 3,831 people or 24.1% are 45-64. The senior population distribution is 1,702 people or 10.7% of the population are between 65–79 years old, and 840 people or 5.3% are over 80.
In the 2007 federal election the FDP received 76.7% of the vote.
The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Herisau about 66.2% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).
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